This agreement opens a new chapter in the trade relationship between the EU and Ukraine. It provides a long-term, predictable and mutual framework that benefits exporters, companies and farmers on both sides, claims the EU's Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic at a press conference in Brussels.
The agreement – which is now to be polished and approved by both sides – comes after the EU Commission failed to get the member countries to accept a continuation of the extensive free trade that was offered to Ukraine after the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
The agreement was extended by one year last year, but then with some restrictions after criticism from farmers in the EU's eastern parts. They have been dissatisfied with the imports from Ukraine, which they believe have distorted the competition.
Corrected: In an earlier version, an incorrect statement was made about when Russia's full-scale invasion began.
